In a time when biblical truth is increasingly under attack, even the Bible itself is being rewritten to suit cultural, political, and religious agendas. The article try to exposes three such deceptive translations or paraphrased versions that distort the gospel and mislead readers away from the true message of God.
This article will walk you through each of these versions, how they deviate from truth, and what the real Bible says. You’ll also learn how to discern true translations from misleading ones, using clear Biblical references as your foundation.
📖 Why This Is Important
The Bible is God’s Word — unchanging, holy, and inspired:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
(2 Timothy 3:16)
Satan has always tried to twist God’s Word (Genesis 3:1–5), and now, entire versions of the Bible are doing the same.
⚠️ 1. The Queen James Bible — Twisting Sexual Morality
🔍 What It Is:
The Queen James Bible is a so-called “LGBT-affirming” version of the Bible. It alters or removes verses that condemn homosexual behavior, claiming to “make the Bible gay-friendly.”
❌ What’s Wrong:
This version changes verses like Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:26–27, reinterpreting them in a way that contradicts centuries of theological and linguistic scholarship.
📖 What the Real Bible Says:
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
(Leviticus 18:22)
“…their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women…”
(Romans 1:26–27)
The Bible clearly teaches that while God loves all people, He does not affirm sin. Altering His Word to suit human desires is a serious offense.
“Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”
(Proverbs 30:6)
⚠️ 2. The New World Translation (NWT)
🔍 What It Is:
Used by some christian groups, this version denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. It changes John 1:1 from “the Word was God” to “the Word was a god.”
❌ What’s Wrong:
This translation was made by anonymous authors with no credible Greek or Hebrew qualifications. It directly contradicts core Christian doctrine.
📖 What the Real Bible Says:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
(John 1:1, ESV)
“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”
(John 20:28)
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
(Colossians 2:9)
Denying the divinity of Jesus is spiritually dangerous, as belief in Christ’s divine nature is essential to salvation.
⚠️ 3. The Message Bible
— A Dangerous Paraphrase
🔍 What It Is:
The Message Bible is a paraphrased version by Eugene Peterson. While not necessarily heretical, it takes liberties with the text, often adding the author’s own interpretations.
❌ What’s Wrong:
It adds words, changes tone, and often removes the seriousness of sin and judgment. In places, it barely resembles the original text.
For example, compare this verse:
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13):
- Original (ESV):“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…”
- The Message:“Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right…”
This paraphrase removes key theological terms like “hallowed,” “kingdom,” and “deliver us from evil,” weakening its depth.
📖 What the Real Bible Says:
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
(Proverbs 30:5)
“…if anyone takes away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life…”
(Revelation 22:19)
Even well-intentioned paraphrasing can lead readers into error and misunderstanding, especially when it comes to salvation and sin.
🧭 How to Discern a True Bible Translation
- Check the Source – Who translated it? Are they credible scholars with theological training?
- Compare with Original Texts – Good translations (like ESV, NASB, NKJV) are based on Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts.
- Avoid Bias – Be cautious of translations made to promote specific ideologies (gender neutrality, prosperity gospel, etc.)
- Test the Doctrine – Does it affirm Jesus as God? The reality of sin? Salvation through grace?
“Now the Bereans were of more noble character…for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
(Acts 17:11)
✅ Recommended Faithful Translations
- ESV (English Standard Version) – Word-for-word accuracy
- NASB (New American Standard Bible) – Scholarly and precise
- NKJV (New King James Version) – Reverent and reliable
- KJV (King James Version) – Classic and traditional
- NIV (New International Version) – Balanced and readable
🛡️ Final Thoughts: Defend the Truth
The Bible warns us repeatedly about false teachers and distorted gospels:
“For the time will come when people will not endure sound teaching… and will turn away from listening to the truth…”
(2 Timothy 4:3–4)
God’s Word is eternal and unchanging:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
(Matthew 24:35)
We must be watchful and discerning, testing every “Bible” against the true Word of God.
📌 Conclusion
Not every book that calls itself a Bible is the true Word of God. Versions like the Queen James Bible, New World Translation, and even paraphrases like The Message can lead believers astray if not read with caution and discernment.
Stay rooted in God’s Word. Trust reliable translations. Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance when reading Scripture.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
(Psalm 119:105)
